With only three more days to go, the US presidential campaign has turned out to be a closer race than expected only weeks ago. Today, on the other hand, predicting the outcome is something very close to impossible.
So how did that come about? As I recall, news that Neo-Nazis Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman’s plot to “take out” Barack Obama and some 100 black people in a Tennessee killing spree about a week ago, turned out to be something of a turning point. Certainly, there’s been very little change in terms of pure politics, where Obama continues to appear a lot more confident than his opponent. If it hadn’t been for certain other factors, the gap probably would’ve widened, not narowed, as it were.
American Neo Nazi Daniel Cowart.
Of course there’s every reason to question the real threat posed by firearm-romancing Nazi kids, such as Cowart and Schlesselman, but it cannot be ignored. I’m guessing that, although a growing majority of the American electorate was in favour of Obama just a week ago, the two reminded them how unappealing the prospect of an assasinated president actually is. They don’t want to relive that. Better safe than sorry, eh?
And the gap started to close.
You can’t help but wondering though, if news that Muslim terrorists plotted to kill McCain would have the same effect. I’m afraid not – or rather; au contraire!
I’d just like to add this, though: With an ethnic breakdown of 80 percent white citizens, 12.8 percent African American, 4.4 percent Asian, 1 percent Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, 0.2 percent Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders, 1.6 percent multiracial and 15.1 percent Hispanic or Latinos, there’s no democratic basis for demanding a black president. The colour of the president’s skin is completely irrelevant.
However, when presented with a dynamic, well-spoken and statesman-like candidate and/or one making faces behind his opponent’s back, I’d say the outcome is a given.
Unfortunately, however, it is not.